Sounds to me like we are going down a slippery slope by relinquishing civil liberties in the name of terrorist fighting. Yes, the FBI should be able to track and tap suspected high risk individuals BUT the FBI should not be given carte blanche to track and tap whoever they choose. The concept of who is a terrorist, or potential terrorist is very vague. What if all it takes is for someone to call the FBI and say "I think my neighbor is a terrorist", for the neighbor to lose a significant portion of their civil liberties? What is to prevent the abuse of power? We have enough wackos and crazies in this country to cause us enough problems, like the dozens of idiots who called in bomb threats for days after Sept 11. The last thing I want to see is a breakdown of the fundamental structures this country has been built on, in a few short days, because of the acts of a terrorist organization.
To open the door to Pandora's Box- by removing civil liberties at a time when emotions, not reason, are leading the discussion- is a very dangerous step.
Do we need to assist our law enforcement organizations? Yes, absolutely. Do we want to sacrifice our civil liberties - those same freedoms that thousands of our armed forces have put their lives on the line for over the years - because of the acts of a terrorist organization? I, for one would say, hell NO!
I will end this by saying to those who would sacrifice their freedom so quickly: Be very careful of what you wish for!!
jmo,
Michael |
